Himachal Pradesh to adopt vetiver grass tech to prevent landslides, soil erosion
To stabilise soil along retaining walls, the state government is adopting the Vetiver Grass Technology (VGT). The State Disaster Management Authority, Shimla, has selected Solan district for the implementation of the project on a pilot basis.
Under this project, vetiver grass will be planted in the Shamti, Sanwara and Mansar areas of Solan district in the first phase. This grass is known for its soil stability and preventing soil erosion.
A cluster approach will be practised where three different interventions comprising black, brown and green will be adopted. The black intervention involves undertaking the mitigation work by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will execute the mitigation work.
The brown intervention encompasses adopting a convergence approach where the DDMA will involve various departments. Under the green interventions, the DDMA will involve various communities and organisations, including NGOs, panchayati raj institutions and civil society organisations, besides various departments. An integrated approach will be adopted for disaster mitigation.
“Vetiver grass helps in stabilising the soil and prevents its erosion. This grass will play an important role in preventing disasters like landslides,” says Ajay Yadav, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Solan.
Various bio-engineering models will be adopted to contain soil erosion and landslides. This includes using vetiver grass, ‘Henna’ and ‘Bermuda’ grass and planting ‘Jal Pippali’ to contain soil erosion and landslides at vulnerable sites. This combination protects the surface and sub-soil.The key advantage is that vetiver grass grows deep into the soil while ‘Henna’ strengthens the flat surface.
A combination of geo-fabrics and plant species based on the watershed lineation would be adopted. In a bid to ensure effective participation of the stakeholders, a workshop was also organised by the DDMA.
Babu Devairakam from the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Organisation (CRSI), Tamil Nadu, and Dr Chandan Ghosh from Indian Vetiver Foundation, Delhi, visited these areas to plant vetiver grass. Self-help groups Shiksha Kranti, Sarathi Society and Innerwheel along with Agriculture, Horticulture, Forest, Water, Power, Public Works departments, Solan MC, are also being roped in to participate in the project.
The DDMA hopes to prevent further erosion of soil at vulnerable spots like Shamti area.
